CHAPTER 7 HUMAN FLOURISHING ‘The Rowers Club Philippines Sea Dragons exerting creative efforts towards flourishing, Photo taken rom RCP Sea Dragons Facebook Page ‘CHAPTER OUTLINE Human Being Understanding Human Flourishing Science and Technology and Human Flourishing LEARNING OUTCOMES. [At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to: 1, understand the concept of human flourishing: 2, analyze human flourishing in relation to the progress of science and technology: and 3. conceptualize own views on human flourishing. SOENCE TECHOLOGY AND SODETY ”Abraham Lincoln! President, Usa, 1809-1865 | “Most folks are happy os th ——, ‘As discussed in the eager to seck better introduction of ————_—_——— np landscape: Science and technology has hs ment previous unit, man tends Het pions of A: The ‘replacement for anything that performs the OMe function and Purpose bioengineering, robotics, and relate! sto 'g other technologies are of man’s existence in the society. Robots man funet intended to enhance human condition, * tive) thr aa inthe society. ain ie contemporary situations (positive OF NEM 0 ee stare? Are all the benefits from the fruits of progress 1" this main aim of every human being in the society? * HUMAN BEING “There are many ways of describing. harman being. But most of it do not precisely define or describe a human, oF “what does it mean to be a human”. Answers to this “question may have its scientific basisand or philosophical context. Biologists describe human as having the attributes of living organisms -including plants and animals ‘This designates that human being is a complex matter capable of performing life: sustaining processes. Human, being the highest form of these living organisms, is said to have characteristics which cannot be substantiated through mere science. Smith (2012) shared that, we can't turn to science for an answer because in the first place, science identified human with varied opinion and limited evidence. He farther stressed that “Biologists arent equipped to tell us whether an, is a human organism because “human” 's whether an organism (para.2). Blakemore and Greenfield (1987; as cited a8 cited in the possession of intellect distinguish Bernaldez, 2001), recognized that ies a human being intellect supports self-consciousness and aware being from another creature. This human's function, discovery of ruth, and develope ent fF the achievement of ersally acceptable but to H the ‘opment of mankind, It may sound just the tip of the original and more valid eueus nen y Hethough that sechmovewas toda net 1e “inquirer” sa folk-category rather a scientific one” 2according to Heidegger, it was originally the fundamental question of philosophy, which was pursued by the ancient Greek philosophers but later on neglected, if not forgotten, in Western philosophy. Heidegger is not convinced with the reasons used to justify such neglect- the self-evidence, universality and indefinability of the concept of being. (Mabaquiao, nd.)p. 111 Furthermore, he argued that asking for the meaning of the term “being” doesn't suggest that the “inquirer” has no idea about it because in the first place, the meaning of being” isassociated with the concept of existence, which means that the “inquirer” already has the idea on the term “however vague ot incomplete”. The “inquirer” obviously refers to “man” as “being”, focuses to the “what” of human existence. This somehow justifies human being’s adaptability to environmental changes and al to manipulate environment in the interest of survival Conversely, Heidegger used the term “dasein” which literally means “being there” focuses on the “modes of existence” or the “who” of “Dasein”. The “modes of existence” is fundamentally established by two things: (1) Dasein exist in a world and (2) Dasein has a self that it defines as it exist in such world. (Mabaquiao, n.d p. 111). Hence, this supports human being's capacity to decide on what is good or bad for them. UNDERSTANDING HUMAN FLOURISHING It has been discussed that human being is endowed with innate abilities and characteristics that let him sustain his function and to survive in the given environment, In the very center of being is unexplainable thirst which long for happiness, serenity and fulfillment. The unquenching thirst towards indefinite bounds of life can only be sufficed once fulfilled. Why does human being feel this way? What is man’s ultimate desire for living? It would be beneficial if different views will be taken into accounts to understand it well. The following are the selected philosophers’ point of views: On Aristotle's Viewpoint [Aristotle's teachings suggest that each man's life has a purpose and that the function of one’s life is to attain that purpose. For Aristotle, happiness (earthly) is the highest desire and ambition of all human beings. And to achieve it, one must cultivate the highest virtues within oneself. Aristotle believed that human beings have a natural desire and capacity to knowand understand the truth, to pursue moral excellence, and to instantiate their ideals in the world through action. Furthermore, these actions are geared towards one’s proper and desired end-flourishing, happiness, or eudemonia SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOOETY 9BWhat is Eud: Etymologically speaking, eudaimonia is consists of Greek words “eu” which means “good” and “daemon “which means “spirit”. This literally defines it hs “the state of having good indwelling spirit; a good genius”. (Encyclopedia Britannica, nd.) Eudaimonia (also known as Eudaemonism) is a Greek word, which refers to a state of having a good indwelling spirit or being in a contented state of being healthy, happy and prosperous. In moral philosophy, eudaimonia is used to refer to the right actions as those that result in the well-being of an individual. In this cease, well-being becomes an essential value. In general sense, eudaimonia can be perceived as any theory that places the personal happiness of an individual and his or her complete life atthe core of ethical concern (Pennock, 2014, para.1-2) On Epicurus’s Viewpoint Epicurus (born 341 BC) was a Greek philosopher who contradicted the metaphysical philosophers. He believed that balance and temperance were created {pace for happiness. His view is not more of how happiness can be defined but jnore on theory about the real source to experience it. Furthermore, it agrees with the ethical doctrine which claims pleasure is the norm of morality- hedonism but reiterates the intelligent choice and practical wisdom to measure pleasure against pain to attain well-being, On Nietzsche's Viewpoint Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) was a German philosopher and cultural critic he 1870s and 1880s. He is known for his criticisms on who published intensively in t ideas. psychological analyses that resulted to opposing ideas on the people's receiv ‘As expected, Nietzsche viewed happiness in a different way. For many philosophers, happiness could be a “constant state of well-being’, but for him, happiness is an “ideal state of laziness”. Consequently, laziness for him is described as to not have any worries or distress in life Philosophers’ views are the evidence of objective sense ofhow accepts that man’s ultimate desire of living is to flourish and to experience a life of ‘well-being (life that goes well for him). Flourishing can either be based on the state of mind (eg,, mental habit) or a kind of value (e.g. insights, outlook). One's mental habit and value towards life may deny access to experience fulfillment of life. On the other hand, it may lead to understanding one’s funetion though self-actualization. “Thus, it justifies why it is difficult for a person to give exact answer if asked, “What is happiness?” which is almost the same condition in answering the question, “What means to iourish. is your life's purpose”. 94 SOENCE TEoANOLOGY AND SOCETYSCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND HUMAN FLOURISHING We live in the world where technology are changing | oo bd they Ofcourse cul down al the forests. science and the forefront of © society. Advances and continuous technological growth are the results of intensified applic: of scientific knowledge to deliver progress in the society. The rise of es has made information technolo; global communications possible ‘The introduction of gene therapy, stem cells and cloning has improved the medical and health sectors. 6. ice. cartoon.com Nanotechnology and robotics made seahstres flourished. Economic growth and global standing were achieved through snnovations, Scientific applications continuously provide convenience to human tives All these and more completes the story of changes, innovations, and progress which impacts the ethical and moral preference of human in the modern society Yet, these progress become problematic because of the ethical or even legal concerns, Examples are debates on whether human embryo (right to live) is being sacrifice or notin te process of cloning; will the creation of artificial intelligence (A 1)-smarter- than-human intelligence conserves the functionality of human nature does nots does mining support the nation’s economic development and labor employment or degradation of environment and human rights infringement ? is inevitable so as the desire of human to flourish. As ignificantly to human lives, entific Indeed, progress and technological developments increasingly plays entation of happiness or end. What kind of virtues were offered by Do they promote eudemonistic ori these scientific progress? For the common good or self-direc well-being? Should the ethical and moral aspects of human being be changed to be at par with progress and attain human flourishing?